Family says missing NC woman’s body found in Wilkes Co.

WILKESBORO, N.C. — The family of a missing Charlotte woman has confirmed to WSOC her body was found inside a vehicle discovered Monday morning in Wilkes County.

In a statement, the family confirmed 39-year-old Holly Fischer’s body was found inside her vehicle near Highway 16.

“The Fischer family can now confirm that Holly Fischer’s car has been located. The car was located off Highway 16 in Millers Creek, N.C. It is with unbearable sadness that we can also confirm that she was not found alive. Our hearts are broken,” the family said.

Deputies with the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office say a body “presumed to be Holly Fischer” was found around 10 a.m. in a vehicle matching the description of Fischer’s.

Authorities found the location of the wrecked SUV around 10 p.m. Sunday when a motorcyclist who had pulled over to the side of the road noticed where a vehicle appeared to have gone off the road near the top of the mountain, deputies said.

Deputies say rescuers responded to the scene and made two attempts to repel down the embankment, but they were not able to reach the vehicle due to rough terrain and darkness.

Rescue attempts were temporarily suspended around 1:30 a.m. They were resumed around 8 a.m. and the vehicle was reached around 10 a.m., deputies said.

Friends, family members and volunteers began searching the Wilkesboro area for Fischer on Sunday. She had not been seen or heard from in about a week. The motorcyclist who came upon the accident scene was a friend of the family who was helping with the search, deputies said.

“The family does wish to express their tremendous gratitude to the countless volunteers and authorities that have participated in the search for Holly. Without your tireless efforts, we believe Holly Fischer may not have ever been found. We are all devastated to lose our beautiful daughter, sister and friend. We do ask that everyone respect the family’s privacy at this difficult time,” the family said.

Fischer had been visiting relatives in Knoxville, Tenn. before she went missing while driving back to Charlotte. She was traveling in a silver 2004 Infiniti FX35 with N.C. registration numbers “XYH6678.”